Symbol Transitions in Discrete Systems

When multiparameter and multilevel waveforms are used in digital recording or communication systems, the nature and number of distinct waveform transitions that can occur in a specified interval of time must always be known. This paper outlines techniques for that purpose. The theory developed is quite general in that it deals with the enumeration of transitions in any multilevel, multiparameter discrete system. Using the theory, many recording and communication schemes may be invented which depend on selecting a subset of waveforms whose parameters have certain specified characteristics. Since the discrete waveform of time duration is equivalent to a codeword of symbols, this paper also provides the theory and analytical methods of the symbol transition properties of codes generated by sequential machines.